Redeemer Baptist Church
Acts 2:1-41 ESV
What (or WHO) does our church (every church) NEED?
1) WHO/WHAT do we really RELY upon?
a) Corporately: What do we actually HAVE to have in order to be a successful church?
b) Individually: What do we actually HAVE to have in order to be a “successful Christian”?
2) Our COMMON mode of thinking – we define ourselves and our successfulness by what we HAVE. (By our lack of need.)
a) “Need” therefore is considered bad/negative.
b) Independence/“having”/strength is considered good/effective.
3) What if we’re thinking about this incorrectly? John 15:5. (See also: 1 Corinthians 1:27, 12:10; Hebrews 11:34)
a) What if the success/effectiveness/fruitfulness/power of a church is dependent upon what we NEED?
b) What if we evaluated our church (and others) by what or WHO we/they depend upon?
c) What if the goal of our church wasn’t to grow out of dependence but into it? So we rely more today than yesterday!
d) What if we’re not supposed to operate from a place of strength but from a place of need…consistently?
4) The Promised PERSON: Acts 1:8a. See also: Luke 24:40, Acts 1:4-5
For most of my life, I have kept the Holy Spirit at arm’s length. At least subconsciously, I have thought of him as a power to be used in ministry, rather than a person who wants to use me to accomplish his purposes.
– IMB missionary Beth Alexander
John 15:5 ESV
Acts 1:8 ESV
WHAT do we need the Holy Spirit FOR?
1) The DEMONSTRATED PRESENCE of God: Acts 2:2–4a.
a) Throughout scripture Wind and Fire are associated with the Transforming Presence of God amongst His People. See: Exodus 3:2, 13:21-22; Ezekiel 37:9-10; Matt 3:11; John 3:7-8
b) We need God PRESENT amongst us – creating both awe and bewilderment – for us (and others) to be truly changed: Acts 2:6a,7a. See also: 1 Cor. 14:24-25
2) UNCONTAINABLE Joy: Acts 2:13–14a, 15, 28. Being filled with the spirit is like and unlike intoxication – in that we aren’t out of control but we are full of joyful fearlessness. (See Acts 26:24-25, Eph. 5:18)
3) GRIPPING VISION: Acts 2:17
4) EFFECTIVE PROCLAMATION of the Gospel: Acts 2:18
a) We TALK about the Good News of Jesus: Acts 2:11. See also: Acts 2:22-24, 40; 4:33
b) EFFECTIVELY (crossing cultural, educational, socio-economic, philosophical, religious and spiritual barriers): Acts 2:4–6
5) SIGNS and WONDERS that VERIFY the Gospel: Acts 2:19, 43. See also: Acts 3:10, 4:29-30, 5:12
6) TRANSFORMING CONVICTION: Acts 2:37. John 16:8, 13a
7) UNPRECEDENTED FRUITFULNESS: Acts 2:41. See also: Acts 2:47; 4:4; 5:14; 6:1, 7; 16:5
8) AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY: Acts 2:42, 44
Acts 2:2-4 ESV
Acts 2:6-7 ESV
Acts 2:13-15 ESV
Acts 2:28 ESV
Acts 2:17 ESV
Acts 2:18 ESV
Acts 2:11 ESV
Acts 2:4-6 ESV
Acts 2:19, 43 ESV
Acts 2:37 ESV
John 16:8, 13 ESV
Acts 2:41 ESV
Acts 2:42, 44 ESV
HOW do we get the Holy Spirit?
1) GOD the Father SENT His Son, Jesus Christ to REVEAL our need: Acts 2:22–24
2) Jesus Christ, the Risen Savior, POURS OUT the Holy Spirit upon those He has redeemed: Acts 2:32–33. See also: Isaiah 32:15, 44:2, Joel 2:28-32
3) The Holy Spirit…
a) INDWELLS the Redeemed: Ephesians 1:13-14. See also: Romans 5:5, 8:9, 8:14-15; 1 Thessalonians 1:5; 1 Timothy 1:7; Titus 3:5
b) REMINDS us of our ONGOING NEED for His work in our lives: Galatians 5:25. See also: Romans 8:2-8, Galatians 5:16-24
c) FILLS the redeemed church with Conviction, Comfort, Commissioning & Capability: See: Luke 24:48-49; John 14:16-17, 14:26, 15:26-27, 16:7-15; Acts 1:8, 4:31, 13:52
4) We MUST...: Acts 2:38–40
a) REPENT of our sins and our strength
b) RECKON Christ as our only saving hope – the fulfillment of God’s promise: Acts 2:36, Galatians 3:14
c) RECEIVE the Gift of the Holy Spirit
d) RENEW our walk with God daily: Ephesians 5:18. See also: Acts 4:8, 31; 6:8, 10; 13:52
Acts 2:22-24 ESV
Acts 2:32-33 ESV
Ephesians 1:13-14 ESV
Galatians 5:25 ESV
Acts 2:38-40 ESV
Acts 2:36 ESV
Galatians 3:14 ESV
Ephesians 5:18 ESV
Gospel In Life Group Questions
1) WHAT was new or interesting or challenging to you in this message?
2) What did you learn about GOD?
3) What did you learn about YOURSELF?
4) HOW/WHERE will these truths cause you to apply (REPENT, BELIEVE, ACT) the Gospel in your own life this week?
5) WHO does God want you to share these truths with this week?